Trial by Fire
Chapter 5: Some Lady's collect Shoes
SG1s arrival at the Beta beam in area:
"Don't say it Jack...I know you want to but don't!" Daniel said frustrated at his friend. "Say what Space Monkey?" Jack asked innocently like a child would. "Oh, you mean that the Love Boat had better entertainment and food." Sophia chimed in with a grin. "Thank you Sergeant, I couldn't agree more." Daniel just groaned wondering which god he made mad this week to deserve this. Teal'C raised his eyebrow at his friend's comments. Lurch stood by the container holding back a laugh at Daniels expense.
Nigel scanned the area looking for some of his Tok'ra friends. They always loved to hear his combat stories and this one would be entertaining for them. He saw Ir'isha and waved at her. She was a fiery redhead from Naboo that loved new discoveries. She reminded him of Evie from the Mummy movies. Ir'isha loved going on missions that were considered unimportant by the council. This gave her more freedom than one with specific parameters. To say he wasn't smitten with her would be lie.
Jack noticed his friend looking at the redhead walking their way with the base commander, Colonel Wesley. He really didn't care for the West Point graduate. He was by the book even if it didn't work in the real or off world. Jack however saw why Nigel would like the lady walking up to them. She was a little taller than Janet with a leaner figure. Whatever her name was looked a lot better than Anise aka Tok'ra Barbie.
Sophia noticed Nigel's gaze then elbowed him in the side. "Why are you keeping your girlfriend waiting, go to her. I want to see some romance." She said with a twinkle of mischief. "Ir'isha isn't my girlfriend Sgt. Rogers. She is quite a bit younger than I am." Nigel responded flatly hoping to hide his feelings. "That was never an issue with Colonel O'Neill and Lt. Colonel Carter." Sophia whispered back coming to attention with the others.
Colonel Wesley and Ir'isha stopped in front of the group taking in their semi clean appearance. "I see you managed to get the ZPMs Colonel O'Neill." Wesley commented looking over the container then waving over some marines. "I'll have some jarheads deliver them to the scientists while your team gets some hot food...and a shower." Daniel cringed inside knowing Jack wouldn't go for that at all. The rest of the team all turned to their commanding officer waiting for his orders. They weren't just going to hand over the ZPMs after going through what they did. SG1 follows all the way through unless General Hammond says otherwise...sometimes.
"We can handle it Wesley, I'm sure Irish can show us the way...right Nigel." Jack said stepping in front of the container blocking the marines while looking at the base commander. "It would be my pleasure Colonel O'Neill, Samantha will be pleased to see you're in one piece." Ir'isha said with a smile aimed at Nigel. "Lurch...T, you hear the lady. Irish, show us the way and we'll follow." He said getting a glare from Wesley. "Indeed!" Teal'C said shouldering his M240 then lifting up the container with Lurch. Nigel walked up to Ir'isha offering her his arm as they started walking. Jack stood to the side as his team walked past. Daniel had finally let out the breath he was holding thankful nothing happened. He knew Jack disliked officers like Colonel Wesley. Jack once said "when the book is 'right' good men die." Daniel asked the general what Jack meant a few days later. The answer gave him more insight to his friend's leadership style and life.
Major Hills and Sophia saluted Col. Wesley as they walked by leaving the two colonels and marines alone. "Col. O'Neill, this is my command and I expect you to respect that!" Jack looked at Wesley, then at the marines while reshaping his favorite hat. "I have respect for all men and women who put the uniform on, others not so much." Jack said promptly walking off to catch up to his team. "What's that supposed to mean O'Neill?" the irate colonel asked in a gruff voice. Jack turned around and answered in his typical sarcastic style. "Look it up in your book, I'm sure it's in there somewhere." Then he disappeared around the corner of a tent. "I'd have you court marshaled if was your commanding officer... what are you looking at?" Wesley asked the two marines then dismissed them walking to his office in a huff.
Major Hills looked back briefly at her CO wondering why he didn't like the base commander. It was obvious to her that Col. O'Neill was somewhat contradicting. One minute he'd be a by the book officer then change into Mr. Hyde and make his own rules. The two officers seemed to have a history of mistrust. I'll ask Sergeant Rogers after we return to the mountain she thought to herself. "You're thinking to hard Major. What's on your mind?" Sophia asked her teammate. "Nothing important Sergeant, I was just wondering if there was a good hair salon was nearby. Colonel O'Neill's idea of a camp out is hard on my hair and nails." Virginia said covering her real thoughts. "I can't disagree with you on that however I'll bet you're wondering why our CO dislikes the base commander." The team medic replied. "What make you think that?" Virginia asked perplexed at being so readable. "Easy, your initial reaction and I'd be wondering the same thing if I were a NFG." Sophia answered keeping a straight face. "Do you know why they don't like each other?" Major Hills asked noticing the lab tent was coming up. "I've heard things but haven't gotten the official story. You need to asked Daniel or Lt. Col. Carter for the truth. The colonel is very tight lipped on things like that." Sophia said offering no further explanation. Virginia nodded knowing better than to stick her nose into officer's business.
Jack caught up to his team walking up behind the two women. "Hold up kids, you can't just give Carter new toys to play with without me." He said winking at Virginia and Sophia. "Why not Jack? It's not like your giving her flowers or candy." Daniel replied while rolling his eyes. "Not all women want flowers or candy." Lurch said then continued. "My wife prefers cross stitch yarn or Winnie the Pooh stuff." He finished while rolling his shoulders. "Janet on the other hand collects Prada shoes." Jack added slapping Daniel on the back. "Indeed, Dr. Frasier prefers heels to combat boots." Teal'C added pushing open the door with his boot. "When did you become a shoe expert?" Daniel asked making air quotations. "You forgot I was married once. Wives will drag you in and out of shoe stores all day long if you let them. " Jack said entering the labs with his team. The two women on the team just looked at each other with knowing looks.
-"Of course I want peace; there are just a few I need to kill first." Unknown-
Ir'isha leaned over whispering into Nigel's ear. He nodded back to her making her smile wide then disappear around the corner. "What did you agree to Nigel? Irish seems really happy all of a sudden." Jack asked taking his sunglasses off and letting them hang loose. Sophia nudged Virginia whispering, 'don't you just love romance? 'She nodded slightly letting her teammate gush while observing the team dynamics. "Old chap, if you'll excuse me Ir'isha has asked me to assist her in translating what could be old English transcripts." Nigel answered back. "I could help you translate as well..." Daniel said stepping forward eager to do meaningful work. "Daniel, I believe the two of them have it covered, you'd only be in the way." He told his clueless friend then continued. "Go have fun translating dusty paper you limey bastard. Let me know if you learned anything of interest." Jack said shaking his hand. "Thanks for allowing me to tag along on your campaign, it felt like old times." Nigel replied turning to leave. "It's always a pleasure to show you britts the proper way to win battles." Nigel's response was simply to tell his long time friend to 'Bugger Off!'
Jack turned to his team clapping his hands together. "Ah ah... Not a word Space Monkey." He said holding up a finger." This caused Daniel to sigh in frustration at a missed opportunity. "So campers, let's go make Carters day and give her something new to get lost in for hours and hours." Jack said turning around to lead SG1 as if bringing gifts to a queen. "Indeed!" Teal'C replied in his usual way. "The sooner the better sir, this container is heavier than it looks." Lurch grumbled.
-Everyone thought Burt was crazy but then the Graboids showed up.-
Jack opened the lab doors spotting Carter leaning over a microscope deep in thought while making minute adjustments. He smiled at the sight as she looked happy doing what Carter does best. Sophia wondered what her CO had in mind to impress Lt. Col. Carter. She hoped it would be something to gossip about back on base. The other women were always asking her for details that she would happily supply.
Jack motioned for Teal'C and Ron to set the container down in the center of the room. He kneeled before Samantha with a bowed head. "My Queen, my fellow Knights and I have competed our quest. The dragon has been slayed. Your glowy things secured in thy container." Jack said motioning with his out stretched arm earning a megawatt smile. Daniel rolled his eyes then took his glasses off pinching the brow of his nose. "You may raise Sir O'Neill. The crown is pleased with your success. Rise so I may thank you properly." Samantha replied playing along with Jacks antics. He arose with a crooked smile as Sam walked around the table forgetting about the others in the room.
Virginia leaned over whispering into Sophia ear "Is Col. O'Neill always like this around her?" Sophia looked at the two officers then answered her teammate. "This is a recent development, isn't it romantic?" Jacob entered the lab in time to overhear Sophia and Virginia talking. He then saw the rest of SG1 and his daughter. 'Don't ruin the moment Jacob. They are a lovely couple so let them have their romance.' Sel'mac warned him. 'I agree but I do enjoy making Jack sweat.' He replied back to his hitch hiker as Jack called her. 'I'm warning you Jacob. Samantha is enjoying the attention!' Sel'mac warned a final time. Jacob just smiled and walked past the two women giving them a slight scare as he passed. "That's my little girl you're talking about ladies." He said in passing. This caught Daniels attention giving him a smile. Jack was about to be hit with the proverbial cold water. Teal'C and Ron saluted the former General as he approached the couple. Sam noticed her father approach freezing slightly. She looked at Jack trying to warn him with her eyes but it was too late.
"Col. O'Neill, I see your mission was a success." Jacob said slapping Jack on the back hard as he could causing him to grunt. Jack turn to look at Jacob then saluted him. "Yes sir, we were just informing Carter about it. Wasn't we guys...!" he replied looking back at his team only to see Sophia being dragged out of the room by Teal'C.
'Cowards!' he thought to himself. "I can see that colonel, I have two eyes. So you weren't trying to get a kiss from my fair daughter then hmmm!" Jacob asked getting a mental slap from Sel'mac. "Dad, would you stop. Jack just delivered the ZPMs for me...I mean us." She said trying to hide her blush which wasn't lost on Jacob. Jack stood at parade rest waiting for a verbal reprimand about military regulations.
Jacobs face broke from being serious to mischievous chuckling a little. "Relax you two, can't an old man have some fun?" he asked hugging his daughter. Jack let out the breath he was holding with relief. General Hammond said there'd be no issues if they acted reasonability professional. 'This was within reason...kind of.' He thought to himself. "You did great work Jack. Plan 'A' worked for once with only one minor injury." Jacob said shaking Jacks hand. "I did have plenty of help and the Tok'ras intelligence was spot on for once." He replied honestly. "Nigel is a really good soldier. When he told us of your friendship we figured he'd be a good messenger." Jacob answered back then looked at the container. "Let's get started kid, I'm curious as to how a ZPM looks." He said going over to the container opening it. Sam and Jack looked at each other having a silent conversation agreeing to continue their conversation later. "Jacob looked longer than needed giving the two love birds enough time to talk satisfying Sel'mac.
"If you'll excuse me Dad, I have a report to write. You know how I enjoy writing them." Jack said giving him a sloppy salute just because he could. Jacob nodded then picked up a ZPM walking over to a table prepared for them. "You can use my office Sir; it's down the right second door." Sam said as she walked Jack to the door stealing a quick kiss and hug relaying how glad he returned to her in one piece.
Jacob watched the two out the corner of his eye smiling. 'Your right Sel'mac, they do complement each other. When the day comes to walk my little girl down the isle I won't be worried one bit.' He said to his ever present companion. 'I hope they don't take too long, were not getting any younger Jacob.' She replied.
Samantha walked back grabbing the other ZPM looking at it with awe. "This is the break through we've been looking for Dad. Can you imagine what we could power with these?" she said lovingly placing the zpm in it holder. "Your boyfriend would suggest and I quote 'Big Honking Space Guns!'" he replied with a grin. "Dad..! I'm not a young girl no more. He's my...ugh!" Sam said with a mock frustration. Jacob smile pulling her into sideways hug. "I'm just happy that your finally found someone who understands and loves you for you." He said kissing her forehead. "Now let's see what these things are made of." Sam relaxed knowing her dad was there and happy for her, life was good.
A/N: It's been too long since I've updated or written anything. I apologize for my lack of productivity. This story is now complete. I hope everyone enjoyed reading it and being introduced to Major Hills. I'll be planning my next story this week. It'll be heavy on Sam & Jack furthering their relationship. Have a wonderful New Year and I look forward to your reviews. All mistakes are mine because I can't blame them on the Goa'uld or Maybourne.